On March 24, 2007, then-freshman Caitlyn McFadden scored two goals to help the No. 4 Maryland women’s lacrosse team defeat No. 1 North Carolina, 8-6, at Maryland Stadium.

McFadden’s last name now is Phipps, and the former Tewaaraton Award winner is an assistant coach for the No. 2 Terps. She’ll be on the sidelines when they host the top-ranked Tar Heels at Maryland Stadium on Saturday.

It will mark the first time the Terps, who usually compete at the Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex, play at Maryland Stadium since Phipps contributed to the victory 10 years ago.

“It’s just an awesome opportunity for our team,” Phipps said. “We have so much Maryland pride, so to be out here where the football team competes, the men’s lacrosse team competes and the big time games … we’re just excited.”

The Terps (2-0) play as part of a double-header with the No. 1 Maryland men’s lacrosse team, which hosts No. 8 Yale beforehand. Though the men play all their home games at Maryland Stadium, it will be a change of scenery for coach Cathy Reese’s team.

Reese, who was in her first year as coach when the Terps last played at Maryland Stadium, is excited for the chance to play at a different venue about a mile away.

“It’s almost like an away game because we’re so used to playing at our complex,” Reese said. “It’s just more of a neutral facility except we’ve got Maryland flags all around, so we’ll take it!”

Phipps said it is a “cool” experience to play at Maryland Stadium in front of a bigger crowd. However, she said it’s important for the players to control their emotions and not let the change in venue affect their performance.

“I just remember being pretty nervous,” Phipps said. “Obviously it was a big game. For them, just go out there, have fun, compete, don’t let the nerves get to you, but use it to be excited and play hard.”

Maryland’s two senior captains, who have played in three straight national championship games, had mixed responses about playing in a new setting.

Defender Nadine Hadnagy predicted there will be a “cool atmosphere,” while midfielder Zoe Stukenberg, an Ellicott City native, has heard plenty of buzz surrounding the contest.

“Everyone I’ve talked to, even my professors or people from my hometown, have been mentioning that they’re coming to this game,” Stukenberg said. “Maryland has done a great job of promoting it, so even though this isn’t where we play every day, they’re making this our home field on Saturday.”